Method of and apparatus for gasket lining can ends



July 31,1923 7 11,463,519 I. D. THORNBURGH METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FORGASKE T LINING CAN ENDS Filed A iril 24, 1919 s Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VENTOR.

J; A TTORNEY July 31, 1923- l D. THORNBURGH' METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FORGASKET LINING CAN. ENDS FiledApril 24, 1919 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTDR.$081 Him AG 1' f TORNEY July 31, 1923- k 1,463,519

' l. D. THORNBURGH METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR GASKET LINING CAN ENDSFiled April 24, 1919 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTR.

Patented duly 31, 1923.

siren IVAN n. THORNBURGH, or BERKELEY, oarirronnra, AssIeNoR 'roaivrnarcan can COMPANY, or sen rnanorsco, oanrronnre, ACORPORATION onNEW JERSEY.

METHOD or AND APPARATUS non GASKET 'LINING can-ENDS.

Application filed April 24, 1919. Serial No. 292,416.v

T0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, IVAN D. THORN- nunoi-i, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Berkeley, in the county of Alame- (hi and State ofCalifornia, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Methodsof and Apparatus for Gasket Lin ing Can Ends, of which the following isa specification.

The hereinafter described invention relates to a method and apparatusfor the paper gasket lining of can ends for subsequent use in connectionwith the hermetic sealing of containers for the preservation of foodproducts.

The method at present employed for paper gasket lining can ends, and aswell known, comprises the cutting of a gasket ring liner or a liner ofproper shape either from a web, sheet or disk of liner material, whichas cut or formed therefrom is either directly applied onto the flange ofa can end or applied thereto at a subsequent period, but before the canend is utilized for application and seaming to the container for thefood product. This method of gasket lining of the can ends isobjectionable due to the heavy loss occasioned by reason of the wastageof paper resulting therefrom, and further objectionable by reason of theexpense required to properly maintain, the

cutting mechanism in condition for efficient work.

The present method invention resides in applying powdered paper stockonto the flange surface of a can end previously treated with a coatingof a suitable sizing material and which sizing material in the presentcase preferably consists of'gelatine, due to the fact that it isnon-injurious, tasteless and does not in any manner affect the contentsof the container after the hermeticsealing thereof. After the sizing ofthe flange of the can end to be gasket lined, the said can end flange isthen presented to a flowing stream of the powered paper stock, thequantity there-of applied to the sized flange of the can end being suchas to thoroughly cover the sized surface thereof, the sizing serving tocause the powdered paper stock to adhere to the surface of the can endflange.

After the application of the powdered paper stock to the sized surfaceof the can end, the said end is then transferred fromthe sizing. andpowdered paper stock applying station to a position where the coated canend is subjected to the application of heat for the drying of the sizingsolution or comp-ound applied to the flange of the can end. By thismethod there is built up, so to speak, on the flange of the can end agasket liner composed of or formed from powdered paper stock.

While i the carrying out of my inven tion preference is given to the useof paper stock as the powdered material to be used in the formation ofthe gasket liner, it will be understood that any other suitable form ofpowdered fiber or cellular material may be employed in place thereofforthe building up of the gasket liner, just solong as the fiber materialis of such a character as to be harmless relative to the contents of thecontainer for which the can end is to be utilized for the hermeticsealing thereof, and therefore, generically, the invention contemplatesthe utilization of any form of powdered fiber of cellular materialcapable of being used for the successful carrying out of the invention.

The preferred embodiment of a practical apparatus for the carrying outof the invention comprises lnterconnected cooperating workinginstrumentalities for. deliveringgs and receiving an unlined flanged canend and positioning the same in axial alignment with means for applyingas by a. jet stream to the surface of the flange thereof a suitablestream of sizing material and during the application of which to thesurface of the can end flange the said can .end is revolved, and assized placing the surface thereof in line to receive thereon a jetstream of powdered fibrous or cellular material for the forming orbuilding up of the gasket liner; thence transferring the can end with.its built-up liner to'means for applying heated air to the surface ofthe lined can end for the drying of the applied sizing ma mechanism forimparting timed operation paratus.

t0 the respective working parts of the ap- Fig.-2 is a verticalsectional view taken on the line 2-2 Fig. 1 of the drawings and viewedin the direction of the arrows, illustrating more particularly the meansfor the feeding of flanged can ends from a stack of ends containedwithin a magazine or holder, the dryingmeans for the gasket linedendsand further'illustrating the means for 'ac mating the working parts ofthe apparatus in timed relation.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 Fig. 1 of'the drawingsand viewed in the direction of the arrow, said view illus tratingthe'mechanisni for imparting intermittent movement to the rotatableturret which receives and conveys the unlined can on the line 5- 5 Fig.3 of the drawings and viewed in the" direction of the arrows, said viewdisclosing the Geneva actuated mechanism for imparting intermittentrotation to the can end transfer turret.

Fig. 6 is a broken detailed sectional view in elevation, taken on theline 6-6 Fig. 1 of the drawings and viewed in the direction of thearrows.

Fig. 7 is a broken detailed sectional view taken on the irregular line72-7, Fig. 6 of the drawings and viewed in the direction of the arrows,said view disclosing the vessel for holding the sizing liquid, and themechanism for controlling the discharge thereof from withinthe saidvessel.

Fig.8 is afragmental sectional view taken on the line 8 8, Fig. 6 of thedrawings and viewed in the direction of the arrows.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings the reference numeral 1 isused to desig nate any suitable form of a frame structure capable. ofsustaining the working parts of the apparatus and which said structureprovided with a horizontally disposed table '2. Within suitable bearingsof the said frame structure is-mounted for rotation a transversedlydisposed drive shaft 3, to one end of which is secured a belt pulleydfor receiving ower from any suitable source of power. not shown herein.To the shaft 3 and within the frame structure 1 is secured a drive gear5, which is in mesh with a gear 6 secured to the lower extremity of avertically disposed shaft 7, which shaft is extended above the table 2and works in bearings 8 and 9, the latter of which is carried by theyoke plate 10 secured to the table 2 of the frame structure in anysuitable manner.

Over the surface 01 11:11 table 2 works a horizontally disposedrotatable turret 11,

having a can end feed station A, a liner or gasket applying station B, adrying station C and a discharge station D, which turret is secured bybolts 12 to a hub 13 loosely surrounding the shaft 7 and formed at itslower end into a gear 14;, which meshes with a gear 15 secured to ashort horizontally disposed shaft 16, working within bearings 16 of theframe structure 1. To the outer end of the said shaft 1 6 is secured aGenevawheel 17, which is driven by means of the Geneva arm 18 secured tothe drive shaft 3, Figs. 3 and 5 of the drawings, so that the rotarymotion of the shaft 3 is transmitted to the shaft 16 through the mediumof the said Geneva wheel 17 and its actuating arm 18, for imparting anintermittent rotation to the horizontally disposed turret 11. Thesaidturret 11 is provided with a series of spaced circumferentially disposedvertical pockets 19, which are arrested at the said stations in turn,and are adapted to receive successively therein flanged can ends to belined as the said pockets or apertures 19. of the turrett 11 are broughtsuccessively into vertical align ment with the holder or magazine 20 atthe station A, which is adapted to contain a stack of flanged can ends21. The lowermost end of the stack within the holder 20 rests upon andis supported by the feed rods 22, which extend through the bottom'of theholder 20 and each of which is provided with a notched section 23, whichis adapted to engage and receive a portion of the flange of thelowermost can end. These feed rods 22 have continuous rotation impartedthereto by means of the train of gears 2d, Figs. 1 and 4 of thedrawings. 8n the shaft 25 for the innermost of the train of gears thereis secured a spiral gear 26, which meshes with a gear 27 secured to'thecentral shaft 7 above the horizontally disposed rotatable turret 11 andwhich transmits the continuous rotation of the said shaft? to the canend feed rods'22. As these rods are turned or rotate within bearings ofthe can end holder 20, the notched sections 23 thereof engage a portionof the flange of the lowermost end and'causes a lowering thereof fromthe stack of ends contained within the holder 7 until the said lowermostcan end is moved from within the said holder, at which time the cut-outlower. most can end of the stackis deposited within one of the pocketsor apertures 19 of the rotatable turret 11 at such time positioned inaxial alignment with the can end holder, it being apparent that afterthe notched sections 23 of the feed rods 22 are turned down wardly forthe lowering or cutting out of the lowermost end of the stack of ends,that the remainder of the stack is supported and upheld by the said feedrods 22.

he moment a cut-out can end is deposited within one of the pockets orapertures 19 of the turret 11 a step rotation or movement is imparted tothe said turret to convey the cut-out can end from the can end feedstation to the lining mechanism of the apparatus.

When the can end is transferred for positioning in axial alignment withthe lining mechanism, the same is received onto the surface of arotatablecan end holder 28, Figs. 3 and 6 of the drawings. This holderor support 28 at the station B is provided with a depending stem 29which, works within a suitable bearing 30 and at its lower end hassecured thereto a gear 31, which meshes with a gear 32, secured to thedrive shaft When the unlined can end stands in this position one portionof its flange is immediately below and in axial alignment with a jetnozzle 33, Fig. 6 of the drawings. With the said jet nozzle connects oneend of an air supply pipe 34 which ad Inits air under pressure into thevalve chamber 35 of the said nozzle 33, the air admitted into the saidchamber escaping therefrom through the central discharge passage 35 ofthe nozzle 33, and with which passage connects one end of a syphon tube36; the opposite end ofthe said syphon tube extending downwardly withina liquid holding vessel 37 secured to and supported by the yoke 10,Figs. 3, 7 and 8 of the drawings, which said vessel is adapted to hold abody of sizing liquid 38, preferably formed of gelatine and into whichbody of sizing liquid the lower end of the syphon 36 extends. Throughthe upper portion of the nozzle 33 and adapted to open and closecommunication between the valve or pressure chamber 35 and the verticalpassage 35' of the nozzle 33 is fitted a vertically movable valve 39,which at its upper end is pivotally connected toa lever 40, which isfulcrumed to a bracket 40, depending from the yoke 10, Figs. 1. and 7 ofthe drawings. The fulcrumed lever 40 at its outer end. carries afollower roll 41 which works within a cam groove 42. formed in the camel3 secured to the continuously driven central shaft 7, Figs. 2 and 3 ofthe drawings. When the valve is in raised position to establishcommunication between the va ve or pressure chamber and the verticalpassage 35' of the nozzle 33, air under pressure supplied from the pipe34 discharges from the nozzle 33 and the suction created by the flowingair under pressure causes a syphoning of the sizing liqu d 33 fromwithin the vessel 37 and the discharge thereof as a et stream onto thesurface of the flange of the rotatingcan end 21, resting at such timeupon the rotatable support 28, so that the entirev circumference of theflange of the can end is sized with the liquid ejected under pressurefrom the jet nozzle By the time the entire circumference of the surfaceof the flange of the can end has been coated with the sizing liquid, theaction of they cam 43 is such as to throw the fulcrumed lever 40 tolower the valve 39 to close the valve or pressure chamber 35 against theescape of air therefrom through the jet nozzle 33, and by so doingbreaking the syphoning of the sizing liquid. To the vessel 37 is alsosecured a jet nozzle 44., (Fig. 8), which is provided with a lateralextension as having a passageway 45 therein which communicates with thecentral bore 45 of the nozzle 44. This nozzle 4.4, like the nozzle 33 isprovided with a valve pressure chamber 46 to which is connected one endof an air supply pipe 46, which pipe 46' communicates with an airpressure supply pipe 47 which leads from asuitable source of air underpressure and with the said air supply pipe all also connects the airsupply pipe 34 for admitting air under pressure into the valve chamberof the nozzle The discharge of air un der pressure from within the valvechamber 46 of the nozzle 4A is controlled by means of a verticallymovable valve 48, similar in construction to the valve 39 of thenozzle.33. the upper end of the saidvalve as being pivotally connectedto a lever 49, which is fulcrumed to a bracket 49 de pending from theyoke 10. The said ful crumed lever 49 at its inner end carries afollower roll 50, which works within a cam groove 50 of the cam 43 Tothe lateral extension 44/ of the nozzle 44 is connected the lowerdischarge end 51 of a container 52, which is adapted to hold a body ofpowdered or PlllVQlflllGl'lt liner ma terial 53, the said containerbeing secured to the yoke 10 by means of brackets 52, Figs. 1 and 3 ofthe drawings. Vithin the extension 4% of the nozzle works, areciproeating plunger 54- having a stem pivotally connected to a link 54which link is con.- nected to a crank secured to the lower end of avertically disposed shaft 55, Figs. 3, 4 and G of the drawings. -To theupper end of the vertical shaft 55 working in bearings 56, there issecured a crank arm 56 pivotally connected to the outer end ofthestemh'l of a yoke 57 straddling the central shaft 7. The said yoke 57carries a follower roll- 58, which is adapted to work within the lowercam groove 58 of the cam 43. The powdered or pnlverulent material heldwithin the container 52 feeds into the passage-way of the lateralextension 44; of the nozzle and as the plunger M is thrown inwardly bythe action of the described connection between the cam 43, the body ofpowdered ma terial resting within the passage-way 45 is moved forwardlyand into the air stream flowing under pressure through the bore 4.5 ofthe nozzle l i: and is ejected thereby from the nozzle as a powdered jetstream under pressure onto the sizes surface of the can end Ha will beunderstood that as the valve 48 is raised to establish communicationbetween the valve or pressure chamber 16 and the bore 4:5 of the nozzle44, that the plunger 5%- will have moved inwardly such a distance as toclose communi cation between the container 52 and the passage-way 4:5 ofthe lateral extension 44-. The valve is held in its raised or openposition. until the powdered material has been ejected over the entiresized surface of the can end nge,at w i time the throw of the level. 9is such to lower the valve 48 to close the escape of air underpressurefrom within the valve chamber 13, and the throw of the connectingmechanism for the plunger at such time is such as to move out wardly theplunger 5st to uncover the communication between the container 52 andthe passage-way L5, so as to allow a flow of material from within thesaid container into the said passage-way for the supply of a sufficientquantity of powdered. material to serve as a coating for the next sizedcan end. It will be understoodthat the action of the levers 40, 49 andthe yoke 57 is such as to cause the parts control ed thereby. to move intimed relation, it being understood that the discharge of a jet streamof po vdered material is cut otf or maintained closed while the valve 39the nozzle is opened for the discharge of a j et stream of sizing liquidonto the surface of the flan of the can end, and that when said valve 39is moved to out off or close the discharge of a jet stream of sizingmaterial the valve 48 is opened for the discharge of a jet stream ofpowdered material onto the sized surface of the flanged can end,although, it will be understood that such is not absolutely necessaryinasmuch as the valve controlling the discharge of the powdered materialmay be so moved as to open the nozzle by the time a sized portion of therevolving can end is moved beneath the same. I

After powdered material has been applied to the sized surface of theflange of the can end, a step movement is imparted to the horizontallyrotatable turret 11 so as to corn vey the gasket lined can end to theheating means of the apparatus at the station 0, said means in thepresent case comprises a hood 59, Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, beneathwhich hood the can end is brought to a state of rest. Heated air issupplied to within the said hood by means of the supply pipe 59, theheated air exhausting from within. the said hood through the outletconnection G0. The heat thus applied to the can end while resting withinthe hood 59 being for the purpose of drying the sizing solution which asdeposited onto the flange of the can end prior to the applicationthereto of the powdered material for the building up of the gasketliner. It will be understood that as a lined can end is transferred tothe drying means, that can end to be lined is conveyed from the can endfeed mechanism to the means for applying the sizing solution and thepowdered material onto the surface of its flange fortheforming of agasket liner thereon. On the next step movement of the tur ct ll thedried can end ismoved to the opening 61 formed in the table 2, at thestation D through which the lined can end falls into a discharge chute62.

lit is apparentfrom the foregoing that the widto of the liner isdependent on the area of the surface of the can end flange covered bythe sizing solution applied thereto, inasmuch as the powdered materialwill only adhere to the surface covered by said sizing solution, andequally so thedepth or thickness of the gasket linermay be controlled bythe number of rotations permitted the can end to be gasketlined whilep0: sitioned beneath the nozzles for applying the sizing solution andpowdered material to the flange thereof. In this manner gasket liners ofany desired width and depth maybe built up relative to the flange of thecan end to be lined. r 1 As stated, any suitable form of an ad herentmay be utilized as the sizing solu tion, in fact a fine mist spray ofwater may be employed for such purpose. Where a mist spray of water isutilized, the powdered paper or fibre when deposited thereon will absorbthe moisture and form so to speak a pul liner on the flange of the canend, which when dried to expel moisture therefrom will leave a finishedpaper gasket liner applied to the flange of the can end.

By the use of the described apparatus, it will be noted that a can endis received into one of the pockets of the rotatable turret 11 at thecan end feed station A and is transferred by the said turret to theliner applying station E, and transferred from said station to thedrying station .0, and from the drying station C to the dischargestation D, Figs. 1 and lof the drawings.

The intermittently operated mechanism of the apparatus is so timed withrespect to the continuous working mechanism of the apparatus as to causethe same to'operate in timed relation.

lVhile the apparatus for the carrying out of the method invention hasbeen described in its preferred embodiment of working parts, I do notwish to be understood as confining or limiting myself to the'detailedconstruction thereof, as I am fully aware that the same may be modified,varied and changed without creating a departure from the nature andscope of the invention.

- Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire toprotect by Letters Patent is: i

1. The method of building up a gasket liner relative to a flanged canend for use in the hermetic sealing of containers for food products,which comprises applying an innocuous sizing liquid to the surface ofthe flange of the can cnd'to be lined, thence covering the said sizedsurface with a powdered fiber lining material, rotating the can end onits axis during the applying of the liquid and then during the applyingof said powdered material, and finally subjecting the can end so linedto the application of heat for the drying ofthe sizing liquid to leavedeposited on the flange of the said end a built-up gasket liner.

QJThB method of gasket lining flanged can ends for use in the hermeticsealing of food containers, which consists in first sizing the surfaceof the flange of the can end to be lined, applying to the sized surfacea coating of powdered fiber lining material, rotating the can end on itsown axis during the sizing operation and then during the application ofthe powdered. material, and thence drying the applied sizing liquid forleaving deposited on the flange of the can end a finished gasket liner.l

3. The method of gasket lining flanged can ends which consists inconveying a flanged can end to a lining station, thence applying asizing liquid to the surface of the flange of the can end, thencecovering the sized surface with a powder of fiber lining material,rotating the can end on its axis during the sizing operation and thenduring the application of the powdered material. thencetransferring thecan end to a heating station for the drying of the sizing liquid toleave deposited on the flange of the can end a built-up gasket liner. v

4. The method of gasket lining can ends for use in the hermetic sealingof food conainers, which comprises sizing the surface of the flange ofsaid can end, applying to the sized surface only a powder composed ofpaper stock and thence drying the applied sizing liquid for leavingdeposited on the flange of a can end abuilt-up gasket liner.

5. The method of gasket lining flanged can ends, which consists inreceiving a flange-d can end at a can end feeding station,

transferring the same to a lining station,

thence applying a sizing liquid to the surface of the flange of said canend, covering the sized surface with a coating of powdered paper stock,rotating the can end on its axis during the application of said liquidand then during the application of said powdered stock, and thencetransferring the coated can end to a heatlng station for the drying ofthe sizing liquid to leave depositedon the flange of the can end abuilt-up gasket liner.

6. The method of paper gasket lining flanged can ends, which consists informing of powdered fiber liner material, valved ac tuated meanscontrolling the discharge of sizing liquid from the reservoir thereforand powdered liner material from the holder therefor, means for posltionng a can end with its flange in alignment with said valved actuatedmeans, mechanisn'i for actuating.

said means respectively to apply to the surface of a can end flangesizing liquid and for covering the sizedsurfacewith the powdered fiberliner material and cutting off the supply thereof at predeterminedtimes, and means for'applying heat to the canend for drying the sizingliquid applied thereto to leave deposited on the flange thereof a builtup gasket liner. i

8. An apparatus for the described purpose, the sagne comprising anapertured rotatable member, can end feed mechanism for supplyingsuccessively to the apertures of said member flanged can ends to belined,

means for imparting rotation to said member for transferring flangedcan'ends from the feed station to' a lining station and from the liningstation to a heating station, valved actuatedniechanism situated at thelining station for applying to the flange of the can end a coating ofsizing liquid and covering the same by a' powder of lining material, andmeans at the heating station for drying the sizing liquid to leavedeposited on the flange of the can end a built-up gasket liner.

9. An apparatus for the described purpose, the combination with liningmeans comprising automatically actuated devices for applying a sizingliquid to the flange of a can end to be lined, and for applying acoating of powdered liner material to said surface of the can end, andmeans for actuating said devices for controlling the supply of thesizing liquid and of the powdered liner material to the flange of thecan end, and means for rotating the can end on its axis in cooperationwith said liquid applying means and said powder applying means.

10. In an apparatus for the described purlUU ' means for, regulating thesupply of a sizing liquid to the flange of a can end, valve'actuateddevices for regulating and controlling the supply of powdered linermaterial to the sized surface of a can end, and air pressure supplymeans for ejecting the sizing liquid onto the flange of a positioned canend and for ejecting a jet of the powdered liner material onto the sizedsurface of the said can end. 7

11. in an apparatus for the described purpose, the combination with avalve controlled nozzle for directing sizing liquid onto the flange of acan end, a valve controlled nozzle.

for directing a stream of powdered liner material onto the sized surfaceof the said can end, means for controlling the supply of the powderedmaterialto the said last mentioned nozzle,'air pressure means associatedwith each of. said nozzles for ejecting therefrom respectively a jet ofsizing liquid and a jet of powdered liner material onto the flange of acan end, and devices controlling the action of the valves of saidnozzles for regulating the flow of air under pressure therethrough.

12. In an apparatus for the described purpose the same comprising ahorizontally rotatable turret provided with a series ofcircumferentially disposed vertical apertures for the reception of canends, means for feeding successively to said apertures flanged can ends,mechanism for imparting intermittent rotation to said turret fortransferring the flanged can ends from the can end feed mechanism to alining station of said apparatus, a rotatable supportsituated at theliningstation for receiving thereon a can end delivered thereto, meanssituated at said station for applying to the flange of a revolving canend delivered thereto a coating of sizing liquid, and further meanssituated at said station for applying to the sized surface of the canend. a coatingof powdered fiber material, and devices for actuatingsaidmeans respectively and successively for controlling the supply of thesizing liquid and the-supply of the powdered liner material onto theflange of a positioned can end.

13. The method. of building up a gasket liner on the flange of a canend, which comprises rotating the can end on its axis and successivelyapplying to the flange thereof while so rotated, first an innocuousadhesive material and then affinely divided gasket material, the latterbeing applied at a defined point opposite to and on said adhesivematerial. r

14. The-method of building up a gasket liner on the flange ofa can end,which comprises rotating the can end on its axis and in a horizontalplane, and successively applying to the flange thereof an innocuousadhesive and then delivering a powdered paper-stock at a definite pointopposite to and on said adhesive material while the can end is sorotated.

15. The method of building up a gasket liner on the flange of a can end,which comprises rotating the can end on its own axis and successivelyapplying to the flange only thereof while so rotated an adhesive and onthe adhesive a soft compressible vegetable substance infinely dividedcondition.

16. The method of building up a gasket liner on the flange of a can end,which comprises holding the can end in a defined position and rotatingthe same, and successively applying to the flange only thereof while soheld androtated, an adhesive and on the adhesive a finely divided gasketmaterial.

17. The method of building up a gasket liner on the flange of a can end,which oomprisesholding the can end at an applying station and applying.to the flange omly thereof an adhesive, and atthe same station and whilethe can end is so held applying to the adhesive a powdered gasketmaterial, the said applications of both the adhesive and gasket materialbeing performed during relative rotation between the can endand theapplying means.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification inthepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

IVAN D. THORNBURGH.

Witnesses:

N. A. AoKER, D. B. ,RIOHARDS.

